splendid sampler ~ block 35

Have you been following this amazing Splendid Sampler quilt-a-long? There's something for everyone, that's for sure.  I still shrug my shoulders when I try to figure out how I was lucky enough to be invited to design a block for this epic venture by Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson.  Well done, ladies!  My hat is off to you.

I was asked to design a block for the "embroidery" category.  Perfect.  I love any excuse to pull out my boxes of floss.  But I was mindful that not everyone will be embroidering their blocks.  So I came up with something that would look equally nice with or without stitchery.  (How about using an interesting stripe to replace the embroidery?)

My "splendid" thing is a wishful garden.  If you've followed me for a while, you'll know that the few times I've mentioned gardening are usually to lament over my disappointing failures in the horticulture department.  I live in Zone 3.  If you're not familiar with climate zones, 0 is the arctic circle, so I'm not very far south from that!  LOL!  Anyhow, my beloved English cottage garden is pretty much impossible here.  I was getting sorta good at growing things for a little while, but then I became a mom and ... well ... gardening will forever take a back seat to my family and sewing ;).

However, I can stitch up rows of flowers in no time that will forever be in bloom (and will never need to be weeded)!  I went a little old school here with some traditional crazy quilt stitching, but I like how they look less crazy, more orderly in four straight rows.  And what a lovely thought to have a strawberry patch at the end of every garden path.

I hope you enjoy making this block, with or without embroidery.

You can find the free pattern for this and all Splendid Sampler blocks here. Also, find both piecing and embroidery tutorials on YouTube by Penguin and Fish here!  xo k

Comments

[Linda]

Is there a place that gives instructions for how to make these embroidery stitches?

[Linda]

Is there a place that gives instructions for how to make these embroidery stitches?

[shannon miller]

I couldn't wait for your turn in the splendid sampler, and of course, this block is magnificent! Maybe my favorite block yet!! It's so beautiful. I am going to get started right away!! Thank you for designing such beauty!

[Hildy]

Love your block and the fabrics you've used! They are from Little Miss Sunshine, right?

[Colleen M]

Your stitches are so perfect, when I first saw the block I thought it WAS a border stripe. Just beautiful!

[Linda]

I found help for doing the stitches on the DMC site. Can't wait to get started!

[Karen]

You have such beautiful, meticulous stitches! This is lovely.

[aunt lena]

Thanks for giving us good options.

[Paula Chaffin]

You have just take my quilting to a new level. Never thought to use my S is for Stitch.

[Janice Hill]

I am not familiar with some of these embroidery stitches. Is there a diagram of how to do them?

[Guida]

Thank you for a lovely block.

[Cindy from Sacramento]

I used to be in an embroidery club a few years back . The woman, Barb, who lead it was amazing, her stitches were so tiny and perfect. I loved being in her classes mixing embroidery and piecing using Leann's House patterns. This is where I discovered the Hexigon block and a new love was born. My mom (gone 18 years now) who did not sew taught me to embroider, I found it peaceful. I aspired to stitch like Barb I had never seen anything so beautiful. Unfortunately she passed away about 6 or so years ago. I hardly ever stitch now because two cataract surgeries didn't go so well. You my dear surpass Barb. Your work is so beautiful. I have always admired it but this block is above and beyond. I would enlarge the picture if I could and use it as art. You are truly gifted. Thank you for all of your inspiration.

[LJ]

This is absolutely a gorgeous block. I so love the embroidery you did on it. It's my favorite block on the Splendid Sampler hop.

[Kathy Hoback]

What beautiful, consistent stitches. They are just gorgeous. You are very skilled.

[Pauline]

Lovely block! Thank you. I am following along with the Splendid Sampler, though I have got very behind. I am looking forward to trying yours.
A brilliant online site for embroidery is Mary Corbet's Needle'nThread which has tutorials to teach many embroidery stitches.

[Bob Landry]

Hi I
I have a problem with your Block and I just don't know how the handle it Your finished block is only 6 x6
All the blocks so far are 6 1/2 inches can you help me on what I am doing wrong
Bob

[Bob Landry]

Hi I
I have a problem with your Block and I just don't know how the handle it Your finished block is only 6 x6
All the blocks so far are 6 1/2 inches can you help me on what I am doing wrong
Bob

[Cindy from Sacramento]

when you add in the X pieces it makes the block 6 1/2 x 61/2.

[Pax Tisdale]

(for Bob Landry) All the finished blocks are 6" square. "Finished" as in sewn into the finished quilt. The unfinished blocks are 6-1/2" square. "Unfinished" as in before it gets sewn into the finished quilt. I know, I know, the wording is confusing. Just remember the block isn't finished until it is part of a quilt.

[Clare]

Thank you such a lovely block design.

[Susan]

Just what I expected from you - exquisite! Your embroidery is always, always gorgeous! You had a nice idea whereas someone could do embroidery or not. Inspiring and yet, I couldn't embroidery such perfect stitches! Thank you for sharing!

[Bridgette McNay]

OH, MY! That is a gorgeous block! That hand embroidery!!!

[Bernie]

Gorgeous. BTW, I live in zone 10, so pretty much everything fries here in the summer. No lush flower cutting gardens here....palm trees, and bamboo yes, but spring bulbs and cutting gardens NOPE...... Doesnt matter, I kill everything, anyway.